Supporting Irish Musicians and Artists

Huartan’s highly anticipated new single, ‘Uiseog' – out tomorrow, March 1, – is a fresh take on 'Ushag Veg Ruy', a traditional lullaby from the Isle of Man.

The track’s title is a Gaeilge interpretation, but the lyrics remain faithful to the original Manx, offering a beautiful example of musical migration across the Celtic islands. As with the Belfast tradtronica collective's first release, 'Bean Udaí Thall', producer-songwriter Stiofán Ó Luachráin deftly intertwines unsettling, atmospheric synth lines with the lullaby’s simple tune.

The single was mixed and mastered by Ruadhri Cushnan, a collaboration which was inspired by the band’s victory in Amhrán na Laoch, a song competition organised as part of Irish Music Month, by Hot Press in partnership with 21 IBI radio stations across Ireland, and supported by Coimisiún na Meán, in Dublin.

Huartan were also named Live Band of the Year at the NI Music Prize ceremony, in Belfast, in November 2024. More recently, they were tipped as 'Hot For 2025' by Hot Press.

Featuring haunting lead vocals by Múlú, the track is further brought to life by combining the organic sound of traditional strings – offered by cellist Laura McFadden and singer-songwriter Clare Sands – with expansive electronic textures. ‘Uiseog' contrasts its melancholic tones with a lively instrumental break – an electronica-driven march that builds in energy and intensity, blending the lullaby’s delicate melody with punchy electronic bass.

“I’m really thrilled to hear ‘Uiseog’ as a finished track,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes says. “I knew that Huartan had something special going for them, when they were chosen as winners of the Amhrán na Laoch competition, as part of Irish Music Month. But the new single entirely surpasses expectations.

"It is brilliantly put together, marvellously arranged and very haunting, with lovely vocals and harmonies. It is great to hear the finer shadings the legendary Ruaidhri Cushnan has brought to the mixing and mastering. But this is a real group effort, and adds greatly to the sense that Huartan can be a major force in Irish music. Táim cinnte go bhfuil todhchaí iontach rompu.”

Huartan. Credit: Claire Loughran

‘Uiseog’ tells the story of a little red lark seeking warmth during a harsh winter. After suffering several sleepless nights in the cold, the tiny bird finally finds comfort between two leaves.

"Alongside the traditional song's theme of finding refuge in a harsh and unkind world – a sentiment we can all relate to in these challenging times – Uiseog’s cover art also takes inspiration from the words of Bobby Sands,” the band explain. "Suffering the loss of her liberty, the lark, a delicate songbird, will no longer sing her little heart out. Her tyrant, the man committed to her imprisonment, may pressure, and even torture the bird to comply to his wishes and change herself to suit his pleasure or benefit. And still, the lark will refuse.

"Created by Galway-based artist Cian Hogan, the illustration depicts a lark emerging from a thicket of briars, a symbolic cage. In an act of defiance, the lark breaks free and bursts into song. From the lullaby’s story to Bobby Sands’ writing, the image of the lark serves as a dual metaphor for liberation: it refers to the strength and safety we find in solidarity with one another, while also representing the need for resistance, in whatever form it may take.”

‘Uiseog' will be available on all major streaming platforms on March 1st, 2025 – a date which marks 44 years since Bobby Sands began his hunger strike in Long Kesh.

Pre-save the single here.

Huartan play the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast on Sunday, March 16.

Read our interview with Huartan in the current issue of Hot Press, out now: